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2013/12/11:Dead to Self and Alive to Christ

If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand
of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you
died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life
appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Therefore put to death your members
which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is
coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when
you lived in them.

But now you yourselves are to put off
all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image
of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in
all.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy
and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness,
longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone
has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must
do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in
one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through Him.

Wives, submit to your own husbands,
as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not
be bitter toward them.

Children, obey your parents in all
things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke your
children, lest they become discouraged.

Bondservants, obey in all things your
masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in
sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the
Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of
the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be
repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, give your bondservants what
is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant
in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in
chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are
outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned
with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful
minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your
circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved
brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are
happening here.

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets
you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if
he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my
only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they
have proved to be a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a
bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in
prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I
bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in
Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet
you. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is
in his house.

Now when this epistle is read among
you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you
likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, "Take heed
to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill
it."

This salutation by my own hand-Paul.
Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.